"JayDee" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Aug 11, 6:19 am, Sheldon wrote:
On Aug 10, 10:02?pm, JayDee wrote:

Since my indoor dracaena recently took a turn for the worst, I thought
I'd ask some basic questions before I replace it. It was healthy for
two years, except for brown at the edge of the leaves so I guess my
first question is, is that normal for a dracaena? It didn't seem to
hurt anything. I never trimmed the small bits of brown off the leaves
since virtually all of them had it (only the tips were brown, not the
sides or heart of the leaves)

Second, in order to not overwater, I would water it once every week to
week and a half. I would pretty much fill it up with water, then let
it almost dry out before watering again (this was suggested by a local
nursery)

Sounds like you're drowning the poor plant and then starving it of
water. It's best to just keep it moderately moist all the time.

Finally, when I watered it I'd use tap water (LA tapwater - yipes!)
Should I be doing this or using the filter on my sink?

Most municipal water supplies fresh from the tap are pretty heavy on
chlorine... you may want to consider filling a large container and
letting it sit a few days for the chlorine to evaporate, then use that
water for your plants.

Finally, feeding. I can't recall the brand, but it's the little
pellets. I was spreading the food out over the top and then I worked
it into the soil, probably an inch down. I followed that up with a
good watering.

Can't comment if you don't know the brand you're using... how can you
not know the brand??? In any event I don't think pellet fertilizer is
good for house plants, probably too strong.

Perhaps your plant should be repotted in fresh sterilized potting mix
and a new pot.

so even though the tree is totally dried out - not necessarily brown,
but just very dried out - can the tree really come back to life by
replanting it??

It's just so weird that this happened as suddenly as it did... I've
been watering it the same way for so long with absolutely no problem.

and what about the brown tips? Is that normal for a dracaena?

There appears to be some differences in care between the varieties. Maybe
if you could identify it specifically, further advice could be offered.

http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1504.htm

"Dry tips and edges are usually caused by too little humidity.

Dracaena is very sensitive to fluoride. Symptoms include yellowing of the
tips or margins of the leaf or dead, scorched areas. Avoid potting soils
that have a high percentage of perlite and keep the soil pH between 6.0 and
6.5 to prevent fluoride from causing injury. Do not use fertilizer which
contains superphosphate since it often has high levels of fluorine.

Allow dracaenas to dry slightly between waterings. Wait until the soil
surface is dry to the touch, then water them thoroughly. Avoid watering with
cold water.

If the humidity in the house is below 30 to 40 percent (it probably is
during winter), plants will benefit from an occasional misting of their
foliage.

A standard commercial houseplant potting mix may be used. Feed dracaenas
with liquid foliage plant fertilizer once a month during the spring and
summer months. Time release fertilizer pellets may be used also."